8 Castle Rise, Wheathampstead, ST. ALBANS, AL4 8HX

Part attic conversion and erection of first floor extension to create new first floor bedroom with en-suite, along with 4 no. new roof lights and internal alterations”

Authority: St Albans City Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Glaister C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the development plan and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021)
the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
if the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The proposal would result in a disproportionate addition to the original building in the Green Belt, and the personal and practical benefits cited do not clearly outweigh this harm to justify very special circumstances.

Framework references: 147, 148, 149

Plan policies cited: Policy 1, Policy 13

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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